MEDAN, Indonesia (AP) — Authorities in Indonesia announced on Tuesday that they have successfully intercepted a scheme to smuggle over a ton of endangered pangolin scales, valued at more than $1 million. This significant operation highlights ongoing efforts to combat wildlife trafficking in the region.
On November 11, a total of 1.2 tons of pangolin scales, estimated to be worth $1.3 million, were discovered in the Asahan district of North Sumatra province. According to Rasio Ridho Sani, who serves as the director general of law enforcement at the Ministry of the Environment, the scales were reportedly intended for shipment to China, passing through Malaysia and Singapore.
Four individuals have been detained in connection with the case, including three military personnel, who were caught with some of the scales. They will face charges of illegally possessing the carcasses of protected wildlife. Following their arrest, further inquiries led to the recovery of the remaining scales found at a residence owned by one of the suspects in Asahan.
If convicted, the four men could each face severe penalties of up to 20 years in prison along with fines reaching $314,000. This serious consequence underscores the Indonesian government’s commitment to tackling illegal wildlife trade and protecting endangered species.
In a sobering estimate, Sani indicated that the scales are derived from approximately 5,900 dead pangolins. The increasing demand for pangolin scales and meat has resulted in widespread poaching, significantly harming pangolin populations across Asia. The scales are often utilized in traditional Chinese medicine and consist mainly of keratin, although no scientific evidence exists to support any medicinal benefits. In certain regions like Vietnam and parts of China, pangolin meat is regarded as a delicacy.
Among the four species of pangolins found in Asia, one is classified as endangered and the others as critically endangered under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Therefore, any trade involving these species is strictly prohibited.
“The killing of thousands of pangolins disrupts ecological balance and poses a threat to both the environment and society,” Sani emphasized. “It is imperative that the suspects receive the maximum sentence to serve as a deterrent against such crimes.”
Indonesian authorities have thwarted eight attempts to smuggle pangolin scales this year alone, predominantly on Sumatra island, indicating a persistent and high demand in illegal wildlife markets, Sani noted.
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Karmini reported from Jakarta, Indonesia.
